Nico Rogers recently completed his third season with Virginia Union University, where he has played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ continued success as back-to-back CIAA Champions and contributors to an Elite Eight appearance. During this time, Rogers also coached a defensive back who earned CIAA All-Rookie honors.
Following the 2024 season, Head Coach Parker elevated Rogers to Assistant Special Teams Coordinator while retaining his roles as Recruiting Coordinator and Secondary Coach.
In his second season (2023), Rogers helped guide the Panthers’ defense to elite rankings, finishing first in rushing defense, tied for first in interceptions, fifth in scoring defense, and third in total defense while ranking among the best in multiple NCAA Division II categories. His defensive back unit also produced a CIAA All-Rookie selection. Entering the 2023 campaign, Rogers was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator and given full oversight of the defensive backs room, while continuing to coach the safeties. The Panthers entered that season ranked 18th nationally in Division II football.
Rogers first joined Virginia Union in 2022 as Safeties Coach and Assistant Defensive Backs Coach. That season, the defense ranked second in the CIAA in total defense and first in rushing defense, finishing 19th overall in Division II. He developed true freshman Donald Gatling, who earned CIAA All-Rookie honors, and mentored graduate RJ Roundtree, who went on to sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Prior to Virginia Union, Rogers served as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at the Apprentice School in spring 2021, where he helped orchestrate the largest recruiting class in program history.
In 2019–2020, Rogers coached Outside Linebackers at Christopher Newport University, mentoring standout Sean Wilkinson to an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection.
Rogers began his collegiate coaching career at Lincoln University (PA) in 2018 as Linebackers Coach, following a successful stint at Virginia State University.
At Virginia State, Rogers contributed to the 2017 CIAA Championship team. That year, he had full responsibility for the linebackers, coaching Brandon Lynch to All-CIAA Second Team honors, while Malik Sexton and Michael Harris earned All-CIAA Honorable Mention recognition.
In 2016–2017, Rogers served as Assistant Linebackers Coach under Defensive Coordinator Dwone Sanders, gaining valuable experience in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme as the Trojans finished with a 9-2 record, including a postseason appearance in Tuskegee, Alabama. He also spent the 2015–2016 season as a Student Assistant with the defensive line.
As a player, Rogers transferred to Virginia State University in 2013 after competing at Norfolk State University and Grossmont Junior College (CA), where he played both safety and linebacker.
Rogers holds a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Virginia State University.
